Gang Profiles

Transnational criminal organizations involved in illegal immigration crimes

Last updated

Mar 10, 2026

MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha)

135 arrests

MS-13MS13MS 13

Transnational criminal gang originating in Los Angeles, predominantly made up of immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. Known for extreme violence and machete attacks.

Los Angeles

1980s

10,000+ in the US, 50,000+ worldwide

Activities

Drug traffickingHuman traffickingExtortionMurder for hire

Designated as a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) by the US Treasury Department. The gang motto is "mata, viola, controla" (kill, rape, control).

Sureños

92 arrests

Sur 13SureñosSouth Siders

Alliance of hundreds of individual Hispanic street gangs in Southern California and throughout the US. Affiliated with the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

Southern California

1960s

100,000+

Activities

Drug traffickingWeapons traffickingRobberyAssault

The number 13 represents the letter M (13th letter) for Mexican Mafia. Use blue as their primary color.

Latin Kings

23 arrests

ALKNAlmighty Latin King NationLatin Kings

One of the largest and most organized Hispanic street gangs in the United States. Has chapters across the US and in Latin America.

Chicago

1954

20,000-35,000

Activities

Drug traffickingRobberyAssaultMurder

Uses a five-pointed crown as their symbol. Has attempted to rebrand as a community organization.

Norteños

22 arrests

Norte 14NorteñosNorth Siders

Alliance of Hispanic street gangs in Northern California. Affiliated with Nuestra Familia prison gang. Rivals of Sureños.

Northern California

1960s

20,000+

Activities

Drug traffickingRobberyAssaultMurder

The number 14 represents the letter N. Use red as their primary color.

Tren de Aragua

19 arrests

TdATren de AraguaAragua Train

Venezuelan mega-gang that originated in Tocorón Prison. Has rapidly expanded across South America and into the United States following Venezuelan migration.

Tocorón Prison

2014

5,000+ members across multiple countries

Activities

Human smugglingSex traffickingExtortionKidnapping

Designated as a Transnational Criminal Organization by the US in 2024. Known for targeting Venezuelan migrants for extortion and operating migrant smuggling networks.

18th Street Gang

16 arrests

Barrio 18Calle 18M-18

Multi-ethnic transnational criminal gang, considered one of the largest in Los Angeles. Rivals of MS-13.

Los Angeles

1960s

30,000-50,000 in the US and Central America

Activities

Drug traffickingExtortionAuto theftRobbery

One of the first Hispanic gangs to accept members of other ethnicities. Has significant presence in Central America.

About Transnational Criminal Organizations

Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) are sophisticated criminal enterprises that operate across international borders. These organizations often exploit migration routes for human smuggling, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities.

The U.S. Department of Treasury and Department of Homeland Security designate certain gangs as TCOs, enabling enhanced enforcement and sanctions. MS-13 and Tren de Aragua have both received this designation.

Data on this page is compiled from DHS arrest records and publicly available information about these organizations.

ICE Mapped

Gang Profiles

Transnational criminal organizations involved in illegal immigration crimes

Last updated

Mar 10, 2026

MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha)

135 arrests

MS-13MS13MS 13

Transnational criminal gang originating in Los Angeles, predominantly made up of immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. Known for extreme violence and machete attacks.

Los Angeles

1980s

10,000+ in the US, 50,000+ worldwide

Activities

Drug traffickingHuman traffickingExtortionMurder for hire

Designated as a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) by the US Treasury Department. The gang motto is "mata, viola, controla" (kill, rape, control).

Sureños

92 arrests

Sur 13SureñosSouth Siders

Alliance of hundreds of individual Hispanic street gangs in Southern California and throughout the US. Affiliated with the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

Southern California

1960s

100,000+

Activities

Drug traffickingWeapons traffickingRobberyAssault

The number 13 represents the letter M (13th letter) for Mexican Mafia. Use blue as their primary color.

Latin Kings

23 arrests

ALKNAlmighty Latin King NationLatin Kings

One of the largest and most organized Hispanic street gangs in the United States. Has chapters across the US and in Latin America.

Chicago

1954

20,000-35,000

Activities

Drug traffickingRobberyAssaultMurder

Uses a five-pointed crown as their symbol. Has attempted to rebrand as a community organization.

Norteños

22 arrests

Norte 14NorteñosNorth Siders

Alliance of Hispanic street gangs in Northern California. Affiliated with Nuestra Familia prison gang. Rivals of Sureños.

Northern California

1960s

20,000+

Activities

Drug traffickingRobberyAssaultMurder

The number 14 represents the letter N. Use red as their primary color.

Tren de Aragua

19 arrests

TdATren de AraguaAragua Train

Venezuelan mega-gang that originated in Tocorón Prison. Has rapidly expanded across South America and into the United States following Venezuelan migration.

Tocorón Prison

2014

5,000+ members across multiple countries

Activities

Human smugglingSex traffickingExtortionKidnapping

Designated as a Transnational Criminal Organization by the US in 2024. Known for targeting Venezuelan migrants for extortion and operating migrant smuggling networks.

18th Street Gang

16 arrests

Barrio 18Calle 18M-18

Multi-ethnic transnational criminal gang, considered one of the largest in Los Angeles. Rivals of MS-13.

Los Angeles

1960s

30,000-50,000 in the US and Central America

Activities

Drug traffickingExtortionAuto theftRobbery

One of the first Hispanic gangs to accept members of other ethnicities. Has significant presence in Central America.

About Transnational Criminal Organizations

Data on this page is compiled from DHS arrest records and publicly available information about these organizations.